Latest phase to boost recycling swings into action in June

The switch to alternate weekly collections across Gravesham will start next month - with many householders reminded they will start to use a wheelie bin rather than the current black sack system.

The changes, ushered in to help improve the borough’s recycling targets, will see recycling collected one week and general waste the next. Food waste will continue to be collected weekly.

Recycling will go in one bin, general waste another.

The wheelie bins will start being delivered from Monday, June 5. It is expected to take until the end of June for all households to receive their bins.

Director of environment and operations, Nick Brown, said: “Residents don’t need to do anything at the moment, they just need to wait until their bin is delivered in June. Once they have got their bin they should start using it straight away.

“Everyone on the scheme will get an information booklet and a calendar delivered with their new bin which will tell them what week they need to put each bin out on. They will also receive a ‘wheel of waste’ which will tell them which bin should be used for each item of rubbish or recycling.

“We’d like to remind residents that they will only get a bin for their general waste if they have already got a recycling bin. If they haven’t already got a bin but would like one, they can request to have one on our website. Residents who don’t have a recycling wheelie bin will remain on black sacks for general waste.”

The day of the week that residents currently put their bin out is not changing.

However, no extra side waste will be collected, with the council sayin if you have extra rubbish it will need to be taken to the household waste recycling centre at Pepperhill. Any glass items will also need to be taken to the Pepperhill tip or to one of the many bottle banks at local supermarkets and other locations.

Mr Brown added: “Phase one of this project in 2014 was implemented very smoothly and we thank residents again for their help in making that roll out such a success. We’ll be working hard to make the transition to the new service as easy as possible for residents and we’re sure that with residents’ support the roll out of phase two will also go well.

“A key aim of phase two of the project is to help keep our streets cleaner and with more waste contained in a wheelie bins we’re confident our streets and neighbourhoods will be tidier.”

Those households that haven’t already got a recycling bin won’t receive a general waste bin in this current roll out, however if residents would like to ‘opt in’ for the service this can be done online.

Flats, which are on communal bin systems, won’t be affected by the changes.